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Stem cell treatment of malformed bones

A new study was led by the National Institutes of Health. It allowed to
pinpoint the location of bone generating stem cells in the spine,
shins and other bones. The study involving laboratory mice
aimed to identifiy factors that control the stem cells' growth.

An important step forward was made in identifying the
bone stem cells location and some of the genetic triggers that control
their growth. Dr. Alan Guttmacher, acting director of the Eunice
Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human
Development, where the research took place, said researchers

could explore ways to harness those cells so that ultimately they
might be used to repair damaged or malformed bone. Moreover, all the studies of this stem cell population could yield insight
into the formation of bone tumors.

The findings appear online in the Proceedings of the National Academy
of Sciences. The study included a graduate student from the Chinese
University of Hong Kong, NIH Dr. Constantine Stratakis and researchers
from Johns Hopkins University and Ohio State University. Scientists
said this was the first study identifying the location of bone stem
cells in the adult mouse skeleton.